I was quite surprised to hear the name David Gaukroger on the Classic FM Evening Concert this evening. His Romany Wood was the first work played on tonight’s programme.

David Gaukroger taught my GCSE music class at King Charles I School, Kidderminster, in 1993–94. There were only seven of us in the class, so I wonder if he remembers me?

I thought I’d e-mail Evening Concert presenter Nick Bailey with my little story, and after the piece had finished he read my message out on air! It’s good to know that, despite requiring only a little talk between long pieces of music, the programme is presented live, as I’ve already tested several times with my e-mails!

Romany Wood is a piece for strings, narrator and children’s voices, with text by David Carr. The project has two aims: to encourage children to participate in music; and to raise money for children’s charities in the UK and abroad. Supporters of the project include Howard Goodall (composer for Mr Bean, The Vicar of Dibley, Blackadder, etc.); the patron is Sir Peter Maxwell Davies, Master of the Queen’s Music. A Royal Gala concert is planned for next year.

3 responses to “Romany Wood”

Thank you, Jenny. I am so pleased you liked the work. It has taken me five years to get to this point and it will probably take another five to get RW to become an established part of children’s music making. Comments like yours do give me heart.